Store owner, 84, remembered for ‘strong reputation'

Published: Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 8:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 8:17 p.m.

Roy Callahan, 84, the owner of Houma's Feed and Seed on La. 24, worked at the store even on some of his last days on Earth, his son said.

“He came in three weeks prior to his health really deteriorating. ... Because he was having to spend so much time at home with his illness, any time he could get away from the house he would come in here,” said Don Callahan, his son and vice president of the company. “This was the environment he loved to be in the most. He'd work for two or three hours, do a little paperwork. ... He never had a full retirement — which he didn't want. This store was his passion.”

Roy Callahan died of Parkinson's disease May 14. In lieu of flowers, he asked that donations may be made in his name to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation or the Arthritis Foundation.

The Feed and Seed is officially known as South Louisiana Seed Co. Inc. Roy Callahan began running the feed store — which also sells plants, pet supplies, insecticides, herbicides and other agricultural supplies — when he was 20 years old with the late owner Lynn Richard, Don Callahan said.

“I don't think Dad had any formal schooling,” his son said. “His dad passed away when he was young, and he had to start taking care of that family of his. His background was working hard and being a fast learner, being a pretty smart guy.”

Roy Callahan became the full owner when Richard died in the late 1980s, Don Callahan said.

“He had a very strong reputation as being a great guy to deal with,” his son said. “He was a very honest guy with a lot of integrity. He was just very people-oriented. Regardless of where you came from or what you were worth, he had the ability to speak to everyone and anyone. If you had a problem, he'd check it out and research it and get back with you. He was one of those go-to guys, somebody people did business with in confidence they were dealing with someone who was trustworthy and had a lot of integrity and would follow through on the things he said he would do. He was just a genuine, nice guy, and that got him a lot of customers and friends over the years.”

“He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” family members wrote in his obituary. “He also loved the outdoors, spending time on gardening, watching any and every televised sports event and was also an avid fisherman. He was a generous man with a quick wit about him.”

Don Callahan said he is in the process of becoming the company's president.

Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or katie.urbaszewski@dailycomet.com.

<p>Roy Callahan, 84, the owner of Houma's Feed and Seed on La. 24, worked at the store even on some of his last days on Earth, his son said.</p><p>“He came in three weeks prior to his health really deteriorating. ... Because he was having to spend so much time at home with his illness, any time he could get away from the house he would come in here,” said Don Callahan, his son and vice president of the company. “This was the environment he loved to be in the most. He'd work for two or three hours, do a little paperwork. ... He never had a full retirement — which he didn't want. This store was his passion.” </p><p>Roy Callahan died of Parkinson's disease May 14. In lieu of flowers, he asked that donations may be made in his name to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation or the Arthritis Foundation.</p><p>The Feed and Seed is officially known as South Louisiana Seed Co. Inc. Roy Callahan began running the feed store — which also sells plants, pet supplies, insecticides, herbicides and other agricultural supplies — when he was 20 years old with the late owner Lynn Richard, Don Callahan said. </p><p>“I don't think Dad had any formal schooling,” his son said. “His dad passed away when he was young, and he had to start taking care of that family of his. His background was working hard and being a fast learner, being a pretty smart guy.”</p><p>Roy Callahan became the full owner when Richard died in the late 1980s, Don Callahan said.</p><p>“He had a very strong reputation as being a great guy to deal with,” his son said. “He was a very honest guy with a lot of integrity. He was just very people-oriented. Regardless of where you came from or what you were worth, he had the ability to speak to everyone and anyone. If you had a problem, he'd check it out and research it and get back with you. He was one of those go-to guys, somebody people did business with in confidence they were dealing with someone who was trustworthy and had a lot of integrity and would follow through on the things he said he would do. He was just a genuine, nice guy, and that got him a lot of customers and friends over the years.”</p><p>“He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” family members wrote in his obituary. “He also loved the outdoors, spending time on gardening, watching any and every televised sports event and was also an avid fisherman. He was a generous man with a quick wit about him.”</p><p>Don Callahan said he is in the process of becoming the company's president.</p><p>Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or katie.urbaszewski@dailycomet.com.</p>